Forward Radio

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, is thrilled to welcome back to the program Emily Kicklighter in her new role as the Louisville Rhizome Coordinator for the Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange! Listen now at https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/sustainability-now-emily
This is a perfect fit with Emily’s own heart and healing and initiative because of its broad focus on NARRATIVE as a community asset and relationship-builder. Tune in to learn what the Rural Urban Exchange is all about, and consider joining a local “Rhizome” experience such as coffee meetups, picnics, local walks or hikes, museum tours, community events, and more.

Upcoming Rhizome events in Louisville include:
• The SouthEnd Market/Iroquois Park Story Circle Event: Saturday, June 27th
• West End Women's Collab "My Granny is a Genius" Workshop: Saturday, July 18th @ 2pm
• Maybe It's Fate "Appalachian Transplant - house plant exchange" on a Sunday in August
• Valaterra Healing Story Hike and Concert Event: Sunday, October 18th 3-8pm
All of the RUX events will be posted on their website (and links will manifest if registration is necessary) at https://www.kyrux.org/rhizomes

Additionally, Emily is offering a "One Bite At a Time" 90-Day Empowerment Course for cancer patients as part of her Radical Remission work. Learn more at https://go.emilykicklighter.org and get in touch at [email protected]

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org

This week on Truth to Power, we bring you a community conversation about the scourge of plastics, the impacts of micorplastics on our health, and how you can get involved locally in addressing the issue! Listen now at https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/truth-to-power-beyond-plastics
The special guest at the last meeting of Beyond Plastics Louisville on May 21, 2026, was Dr. Timothy O'Toole, associate professor at UofL's Division of Environmental Medicine, speaking about his research into how microplastics affect cardiovascular health. Dr. O'Toole shared research findings showing that mice exposed to microplastics in their drinking water developed obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The presentation includes detailed explanations of how microplastics contribute to inflammation and white blood cell adhesion in blood vessels.

Following the scientific presentation, the group discussed their new "Bring Your Own Coffee Cup" campaign, which aims to partner with local coffee shops to reduce single-use plastic waste. The campaign involves placing promotional stickers in coffee shops and encouraging customers to bring reusable cups, with plans to create a "coffee shop street team" to help contact and recruit participating businesses.

This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, talks sustainable youth development with Lynn Rippy, Founder, President & CEO of Blueprint502 - Formerly YouthBuild Louisville. Lynn has worked for 50 years in youth development, helping open the Louisville Office of Youth Development prior to her work with YouthBuild. Listen now at https://soundcloud.com/wfmp-forward-radio/sustainability-now-lynn-rippy
You'll learn about some of the many initiatives and programs that Blueprint502 has underway, including:
1. The Smoketown Community Center - opened June 2025, as a hub for summer learning, connection, and opportunity, with offices and event areas available for rent.
2. Milestones Achieved
- Through SummerWorks in 2025, 2,358 young people registered for services, with 1,271 receiving direct support and 212 placed into sponsored jobs. The SummerWorks platform continues to expand, now connecting 262 private employers with more than 4,700 job opportunities.
- YouthBuild Louisville celebrated 28 graduates who completed the program and moved forward with stronger skills and clearer career pathways.
- Urban Conservation Corps program supported 15 members through successful program completion, while workforce-focused training continued to grow: 30 participants earned certifications through the Brownfields Job Training program, 17 individuals became Certified Apartment Maintenance Technicians, and 139 people received industry-recognized certifications through HazMat training.
3. The Rapid Growth of a Housing Program
- Housing Now Program provides safe, supportive, and empowering environments for young adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Three core components—Transitional Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Supportive Services.

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org

Forward Radio is excited to add a new radio program from the Pacifica Network to our regular broadcast schedule!! "You Earned This" is a weekly program focusing on issues affecting listeners 55+ and their families --- including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription Drug Pricing, and everything you need to know about aging well in America! It is produced by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare. Tune in every Monday at 3pm or Fridays at 5:30am starting on June 8th!